Friday, December 2, was the Ubuntu Night of the Stars. For us Grade 12 students who recently finished our matric exams, it was a night to celebrate.

You wouldn’t believe the Ubuntu Centre unless you saw it! The same auditorium we meet in every day for the Ubuntu after-school programme was transformed into a ballroom complete with decorations and even a red carpet.

Ubuntu invited all our parents and caregivers so we could share this experience. I came with my grandmother, Nolindile. We both wore our best dresses.

I enjoyed it very much; we all did. I loved the atmosphere and being with students from different schools. Most of all, I will remember what the university students had to say to us. It inspired me to see that my neighbors and former schoolmates from the townships are now studying in university.  It gives me hope.

Sibongile Tito and Akhona Madalana both returned for the evening. Sibongile is a 1^st year medical student at University of Cape Town (UCT). She spoke beautifully and reminded us that the sky is the limit. Somebody once told her she was only a drop in the ocean, but she decided even a small drop can create a ripple that lasts all the way to the end of the sea.

Akhona, a 1^st year chemical engineering student at UCT and winner of last year’s Ubuntu Scholar of the Year Award, told us that the biggest challenge at university is managing time.

Papy named the top 3 Scholars, Top Leader and Hardest Worker. I was honoured with the Leadership award. I think it is because I love listening to people and creating solutions to problems.

Next year I plan to attend Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and study bio-medical engineering. Maybe I will be invited back to speak at the next Night of the Stars!

Nwabisa Yoyo is a Grade 12 Ubuntu Scholar and winner of the Ubuntu Leadership Award.

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